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Post by q8 on Aug 31, 2005 4:15:42 GMT
I often wonder why the powers that be install unecceasary sets of points at some locations.
Let's start with Upminster. What is the point of having 28 points in the scissors Xover when you have 31 points further west to do the same move? Removing 28's would not affect the flexibily of the layout and would save on maintainance of point motors etc.
Similarly at Gloucester Road westbound you have 228 points. Irrelevant really. If the sand drag were taken away and the stub connected to the WB main you would only need one set of points and a motor at that point beyond 224's. 228's could then be removed an save some more on maintainance. Signal EE225 could also be removed and signal EE230 with the harbour lights be the junction signal as it will have a safe overlap beyond it.
Ealing Broadway is another case. You have 41 a & b. Why? Trains exiting platform 8 could just as well use a slip off 38's to cross to the eastbound and 41's with associated point heaters taken out.
These mods would also have the advantage of removing scissor crossovers too.
I know there are other places on other lines where a set of points can be taken away without loss of flexibility.
Another thing is the reversing crossovers at Liverpool Street and Farringdon. Why have they never been moved further west out of the platforms now that the reason for the original siting has been taken away?
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Post by citysig on Aug 31, 2005 8:46:53 GMT
For once, the leaving of these crossovers is showing the company in a good light. Whether by accident or on purpose, some locations have been left with a nice bit of slack.
There are many points across the combine where, although they may seem pointless (no pun intended) they can be valuable during a shutdown.
For example, at Neasden, there are sets of points that may not be used for days. But they form part of an alternative route from depot, should the other route fail.
It's only after removing what appear to be un-used points, that you stumble across the failure that would have used them.
As for Farringdon and Liverpool Street, it's mainly down to cost. The fact is, during a shutdown requiring their use, the "work-around" is far easier and cheaper than moving the sets of points. The only trains to give additional problems are the A-stock.
Other than this, certainly at Liverpool Street, C-stock can happily use the points for reversing. Maybe the forthcoming re-signalling and track replacement will see them moved, but I don't think it's in the plans.
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Post by Harsig on Aug 31, 2005 9:02:20 GMT
I often wonder why the powers that be install unecceasary sets of points at some locations. Let's start with Upminster. What is the point of having 28 points in the scissors Xover when you have 31 points further west to do the same move? Removing 28's would not affect the flexibily of the layout and would save on maintainance of point motors etc. It might not affect flexibility in terms of getting from A to B but it certainly reduces the capacity for parallel moves through the station throat which must inevitably affect the ability of the terminus to cope with a sudden rush of trains. While this idea could work, the savings in maintenance costs would probably take centuries to pay for the cost of alterations. It is simply not worth the cost of changing what is already there. Not according to my diagram they couldn't. However even if they could the same argument as at Upminster applies about reducing the capacity for parallel moves. Again as at Gloucester Road the benefits of making changes just aren't worth the cost making them. |
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Tom
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Post by Tom on Aug 31, 2005 10:41:32 GMT
And there is also the experience that slips are generally less reliable and have a requirement for non-standard parts...
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Post by igelkotten on Aug 31, 2005 10:51:20 GMT
I take it that the slip referred to here is not a ladies undergarment. Could someone please explain?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 31, 2005 11:23:23 GMT
I take it that the slip referred to here is not a ladies undergarment. Could someone please explain? A slip is a set of points within a crossover. I'm not really sure how to explain it better. I'll look for a picture with one in...... EDIT: www.trainweb.org/districtdave/assets/images/Towards_Pt_Br.JPGThis picture (from DD's website) has a 'single slip' at the bottom of the picture (although you can only see half of it). No doubt you have several of them on your metro Mr I. |
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Post by Tomcakes on Aug 31, 2005 12:14:58 GMT
Thing is, it may seem costly to keep them, but if you remove them and then decide you want them back it's even more expensive - I think on another thread someone estimated £3million to reinstate Covent Garden Xover? Better to keep them going in case everything goes titsup.
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Post by igelkotten on Aug 31, 2005 15:38:54 GMT
I take it that the slip referred to here is not a ladies undergarment. Could someone please explain? A slip is a set of points within a crossover. I'm not really sure how to explain it better. I'll look for a picture with one in...... EDIT: www.trainweb.org/districtdave/assets/images/Towards_Pt_Br.JPGThis picture (from DD's website) has a 'single slip' at the bottom of the picture (although you can only see half of it). No doubt you have several of them on your metro Mr I. Thanks for the pciture! Now I know exactly what you mean. Actually, we don't have all that many of them, preferring to use point ladders instead when there is room. Now, why not form a mental picture of the trackbed covered in frilly lace unmentionables...  |
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Tom
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Post by Tom on Aug 31, 2005 15:45:12 GMT
Thanks for the pciture! Now I know exactly what you mean. Actually, we don't have all that many of them, preferring to use point ladders instead when there is room. Now, why not form a mental picture of the trackbed covered in frilly lace unmentionables... I have a picture at home of a 600mm double slip at Mariefred on the OSLJ. |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 2, 2005 23:35:59 GMT
Thanks for the pciture! Now I know exactly what you mean. Actually, we don't have all that many of them, preferring to use point ladders instead when there is room. Now, why not form a mental picture of the trackbed covered in frilly lace unmentionables... I have a picture at home of a 600mm double slip at Mariefred on the OSLJ. Oooo, at my age (as you'll understand I'm sure) I kinda like the sound of 'frilly lace unmentionables'. PS. I double-dog dare you to post your picture of that double slip at Mariefred! ;D |
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Post by igelkotten on Sept 3, 2005 9:19:31 GMT
Just to further corrupt your mental images: If I remeber things correctly, what you call "slip points" are known as an "engelsman" here in Sweden -that is, an englishman. We also differ between whole and half englishmen.
So, I suppose it is a case of a lot of englishmen loitering about in the four-foot, covered in pink, fuchsia and turqoise lace, with the hair on their legs peeking out of the holes in the nylon.
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Post by igelkotten on Sept 3, 2005 9:25:56 GMT
Oh, and a further thought:
I think I have come up with a business plan to end all business plans: Start making Hi-Vis lingerie! Why has noone thought of this before? The market (terminally damaged railway people) ought to be a quite big one, not to mention the obvious ergonomic and health and safety factors in dark bedrooms etc.
Anyone up for modeling for my soon-to-come promotional calendar?
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Post by Deleted on Sept 3, 2005 9:53:26 GMT
Oh, and a further thought: I think I have come up with a business plan to end all business plans: Start making Hi-Vis lingerie! Why has noone thought of this before? The market (terminally damaged railway people) ought to be a quite big one, not to mention the obvious ergonomic and health and safety factors in dark bedrooms etc. Anyone up for modeling for my soon-to-come promotional calendar? thats a good idea, wasn't tit that 6 months ago services on the ECML were disrupted to a nudist photo shoot.... these HiVi Undergarments could prevented any unfortunate accidents occouring in the cabs of unfortunate male train drivers to pass the scene... |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 3, 2005 10:46:51 GMT
Oh, and a further thought: I think I have come up with a business plan to end all business plans: Start making Hi-Vis lingerie! Why has noone thought of this before? The market (terminally damaged railway people) ought to be a quite big one, not to mention the obvious ergonomic and health and safety factors in dark bedrooms etc. Anyone up for modeling for my soon-to-come promotional calendar? ROFL! Sounds like a sure-fire winner to me! My old flat mate told me his girlfriend was always turned on when he wore his hi-vi to bed... |
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Post by russe on Sept 3, 2005 11:22:26 GMT
Ooooh, "District Dave's Calendar Men"?? Now there's a thought, and not a pretty one...
Russ
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Post by piccadillypilot on Sept 3, 2005 11:52:10 GMT
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Post by doubletrigger on Sept 3, 2005 13:35:52 GMT
thats a good idea, wasn't tit that 6 months ago services on the ECML were disrupted to a nudist photo shoot.... these HiVi Undergarments could prevented any unfortunate accidents occouring in the cabs of unfortunate male train drivers to pass the scene... Yeah, was 6 months ago, 23/02/05 to be exact! Didn't cause too much disruption to services as a caution was imposed on the line and before they could be caught they were away by the time the next train passed anyway! Residual delays did occur however, kept a copy of the report on that one, was quite bizzare, still something new to tell the passengers! Crazy though, they were on the Up Fast at Great Ponton (between Stoke Tunnel and Grantham). Not exactly the slowest point in the line. One of the strangest places to get your kit off! No idea what happened beyond there though, I've not seen any magazines with "Exclusive nude ECML photoshoot" on them yet! |
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Post by q8 on Sept 3, 2005 13:59:47 GMT
and not a pretty one...  ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Is this a photo of the underground managements. See eff all, hear eff all and say eff all. |
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Post by piccadillypilot on Sept 3, 2005 14:03:41 GMT
Is this a photo of the underground managements. You may choose to think that, I couldn't possibly comment. |
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